Relations between Cairo and Tehran have seen many ups and downs, says Ahmad Abdel-Rahman. In this article, he sets out the issues. A review of Egyptian-Iranian relations raises more questions than answers. Given the détente that the region is witnessing in terms of reconciliations and easing of tensions between Iran and the Gulf states, Iran's curr...
New Zealand PM bows out
Here's an article from The Economist which, while talking about John Key's resignation, states that NZ is "one of the most successful countries in the world. While this is debatable, there is no doubt that Key has had successes- namely international recognition- along with failures, housing, immigration and the environment. We have yet to see whether the new Prime Minister, John English, will have the same success.
A video promoted about the future of America after Biden announced his intention to run in the 2024 elections created great controversy . Ahmad Abdel Rahman writes. History dates back to the year 2024. US presidential candidate Joe Biden wins a second term for the presidency of the US, after being re-elected. China invades Taiwan, storefronts are c...
This article looks at the main issues that are required to achieve Egypt's economic vision after joining BRICS, most notably trade and investment with member states. Ahmad Abdel-Rahman reports. In January 2024, Egypt will become a full member of BRICS, which was founded in 2006 and held its first conference in 2009. It includes Brazil, Russia, Indi...
Non-oil activities contributed to an increase in gross domestic product (GDP) of 5.5 per cent in the Saudi economy in the second quarter of 2023, writes Ahmad Abdul-Rahman. The Saudi government estimates that Saudi GDP grew by 1.1 per cent in the second quarter of 2023, compared to the same period of the previous year. In a statement, the Saudi Gen...
I've just received an email in which the University of Sydney is encouraging everyone to undertake an online degree. How times have changed. Once learning online was seen as a marginal activity and not a "proper" degree. Now, an online course is seen as a way for many tertiary establishments to survive as well as to upskill efficiently and cost eff...
The flotation of the Egyptian pound seems imminent highlighted by the likely issuance of new US dollar certificates by Egyptian banks, along with an increase in hard currency earnings, explains Ahmad Abdel-Rahman. Current data indicates that a flotation of the Egyptian pound in September or October is likely. Moreover, it seems likely that Egyptian...
Cooperation with the Gulf countries mean s Iran aim s to benefit from opening new horizons with the region. Ahmad Abdel-Rahman explains. Iran's foreign policy during the era of Ibrahim Raisi's government can be analyzed by the intersection between internal factors and external factors and their impact on the regional balance in the region. What is ...
Riyadh has built balanced relations with Moscow and Kiev, defused a possible diplomatic explosion with Iran, and strengthened its economic ties with China, explains Ahmad Abdel-Rahman. Saudi-hosted talks on the Ukraine crisis, was concluded in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on August 5, according to state media.The two-day meeting was part of intense d...
The Egyptian government aims to implement new projects worth USD14.7 billion. And the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development seeks to ensure that 50 per cent of these projects in 2024/2025 are green projects. Ahmad Abdel-Rahman explains. Egypt has begun to transform into a green economy. The Ministry of Planning believes this is one of the m...
Riyadh's foreign policy has prompted Washington DC to reconsider its disengagement from the region, writes Ahmad Abdul-Rahman. Recently, there has been increased movement from both the Iranian and Americans, indicating the possibility of an escalation of tension. On the Iranian side, the Revolutionary Guards intensified their force in the Persian G...
Many gains were achieved from the African-Russian Summit for Egypt and the rest of Africa, writes Ahmad Abdel-Rahman in Egypt. The most important gains from the African-Russian Summit were the strengthening of projects in Egypt and a breakthrough in the grain crisis, increasing the volume of foreign exchange, military cooperation to defeat terroris...
Tehran seeks to once again play the role of policeman in the Middle East, says Ahmad Abdel-Rahman. The rapprochement with Tehran by the Arab Gulf States and their preference towards diplomacy to resolve disputes and calm tensions raises a question about some of the changes that would be required from the Iranian side for the success of these reconc...
Headwinds faced GCC stock exchanges in the first half of 2023, writes Ahmad Abdul-Rahman. Morgan Stanley Capital International's (MSCI) global index jumped 13 per cent in the first half of 2023, despite escalating volatility and uncertainty. This compares to an increase of only 0.3 per cent in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries indices. M...
The centrality of the world is no longer in one place, and the most widespread slogan is "create or die". Ahmad Abdel-Rahman explains. Artificial intelligence (AI) has become the talk of the entire world. It is the talk of one who knows a lot, one who knows little, and one who wants to know. There is talk about the importance of AI and the services...
Ahmad Abdul- Rahman talks about the surge in IPOs in the Middle East and why this is happening. The saturation of the European and American markets is pushing investors and funds towards a new area of economic activity. With market fears that the global economy may enter a global financial crisis as a result of the collapse of the US banks and the ...
The war in Sudan is inflicting significant hardships on civilians and on the economy. Ahmed Abdel-Rahman explains. Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, has losses amounting to USD2.5 billion in public revenues, only $300 million in gold exports, compared to $2.5 billion in 2021 and food allocations may reach USD1.1 billion. After the political pro...
Egypt is struggling with the cost of servicing its external debt. Ahmad Abdel—Rahman, who is based in Egypt, explains. The Egyptian economy has been under severe pressure over the past year because of the depreciation of the pound, the scarcity of foreign currency and soaring inflation. Some of the reasons for this bleak economic situati...
The most prominent feature in the Middle East is the competition for influence, power and resources, writes Ahmad Abdul-Rahman. In his opening speech during the Arab League summit, which was held in the Saudi city of Jeddah on May 19, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, welcomed the Arab leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Bin S...
In this article, Ahmad Abdel-Rahman discusses what Erdogan's re- election means for Turkish politics. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan won a third presidential term with 52.14 per cent of the Turkish vote, compared to 47.86 per cent for his rival, Kamal Kılıçdaroğlu. The elections were held under harsh economic conditions. The value of the Tu...
The Arab League affirmed its adherence to end the role of Iranian militias and to limit the role of Iranian state security in the Gulf states, writes Ahmad Abdul-Rahman. Many in the Middle East, and especially in the Arab world, are wondering about the fate of the militias supported by the Islamic Republic (which in Washington is called the Iranian...